Clarinet and saxophone mouthpiece



Aug. 26, 1924. 1,506,363

H. M. CHIRON ET AL CLARINET AND SAXOPHONE'MOUTHPIECE Original Filed Nov. 23, 1923 Jrwenivr:

uyw l BY w W ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 26, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

I-IIPPO'LYTE MAR-IUS CHIRON AND FREDERIC PARME, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CLARINET AND SAXOPHONE MQUTI-IPIECE.

Application filed November 23, 1922, Serial No. 602,879. Renewed April 28, 1924.

T 0 all to hom it may concern Be it known that we, HIPPOLYTE Amos CHIRON, a citizen of France, and Fnnnnnio .PARME, citizen of the United States, residing in the city of New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have.

invented a new and useful Improvement in Clarinet and Saxophone hilouthpieces, of which the following is the specification, to wit:

The invention relates to improvements in the clarinet and saxophone mouthpieces, its objects being the regulation of the reed.

e attain this effect by the means that are illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which- Figure l, is a top side view of the mouthpiece;

Figure 2, a view of the regulator;

Figure 3, shows the ligature;

Figure l, shows the mouthpiece with all the parts assembled.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Number 1, is the reed; 2, the lay of the mouthpiece Fig. 1; 3 the opening under the lay 2; 4, the wedge, supported by a spring arm 5 on each side, of the wedge 4 Fig. 2; 6, is the slides parts at the extremities of the spring arms 5; 7, is the ears attached on the two arms 5; 8, is the grooves on each side of the mouthpiece Fig. 1; 9, is the first ring of the ligature Fig. 3; 10, is the second ring of the ligature; 11, is the screw on the top of the ring 9; 12, is the screw on the top of the ring 10; 13, is the breast plate connecting, the two rings 9 and 1O; 14, the dot mark on the outside of the left arm 5; 15, is the short line inorusted at right angles with the groove 8 on left side of the mouthpiece; 16, is the two letters C and O stamped respectively on the left and right sides of line 15 indicating Close and Open.

At the present time clarinet and saxophone players have a great deal of trouble with their reeds. It is very rarely that a reed is found that gives satisfaction to the player. The space at the forward end of the mouthpiece between the lay and the reed is either too small or not small enough. It is only by pressure applied by the lips that this defect can be neutralized. This however is very hard on the, lips and it also tends to spoil the quality of the tone of the instrument. Continual pressure on the reeds bends them, making it necessary for the player to look for a new reed every few days. In so doing many reeds, after purchase, are thrown away before a satisfactory one is found again. By our new invention the player can regulate the space between the reed and lay to his own satisfaction; by moving the regulator forward or backward. The manner in which this is done is as follows:

The general operation of our mouthpiece is the same as that of any other ordinary mouthpiece with the exception of the regulator. hen the dot mark 14 is in line with the line 15 the reed is in normal position, if the opening at the point of the mouthpiece between reed and lay is too small, loosen screw 12, move the regulator backward to any distance satisfactory to the player, and then tighten 12. This increases the space between reed and lay because the wedge a by being moved backward allows the ring 10 to clamp the rear end of reed and lay down, which thereby moves the forward end of reed up. If the opening between reed and lay is too big loosen screw 12, move the regulator forward any desired distance, then tighten screw. This operation makes the space between the forward end of the reed and lay smaller, because by moving the wedge 4 forward the rear end of reed and lay is forced up, which thereby lowers the front end of the reed.

e claim:

1. In combination with a saxophone or clarinet mouthpiece having a fiat lay surface thereon, a reed on said lay surface, a wedge under a portion of the mouthpiece beneath said lay surface and adapted to tiltsaid reed, means for securing said wedge in place, and means for sliding said wedge.

2. In combination with a mouthpiece for reed instruments, having a flat lay surface thereon, atapered reed resting upon the lay surface of the mouthpiece, said mouthpiece having a tapered opening under a portion of the mouthpiece beneath one end of the lay surface, a wedge member slidable in said opening, spring arms at one end of said wedge encircling the mouthpiece, ears on the spring arms adapted to be manipulated by the fingers, means for securing the reed in place. and means for guiding said wedge slidably.

3. In combination with a mouthpiece for reed instruments having body with a lay members at the ends of the spring registering in said guide grooves, finger ears on said spring arms, and a ligature encircling 10 the body for retaining the reed in place.

HIPPOLYTE MARIUS CHIRON. FREDERIC PARME. 

